Asheville Getaway with Mountain View

Incredible mountain views only minutes to downtown Asheville - 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, sleeps 8. Hot tub, decks, fireplace, gas grill, piano, telescope, WIFI. Pet Friendly. $200 - $300 night, $1500 - $1600 week. See rental photos, details and availability

Get links for Asheville restaurants, attractions, galleries and current events on the Asheville NC Visitor Guide.

WNC Chef's Challenge Quarter Finals

April 30     WNC Chef's Challenge:   QUARTER FINAL - Deerfield and Chef Cary Shackelford VS  Strada Italiano and Chef Anthony Cerrato. Diner participants will enjoy six plated culinary creations (three from each team) that incorporate a special ingredient and will score each dish.

The diners' votes are then tallied along with those from a panel of judges and the weekly winners will continue to participate in the competition. Reservations for the WNC Chefs Challenge are $49 per individual, and can be purchased online at http://wncchefschallenge.eventbrite.com. Sales tax, and gratuity ($67.97 total) are included in ticket purchase. Held at the Chestnut Restaurant in downtown Asheville NC.

Learn more about Asheville NC Restaurants HERE.

Ale Sharpton Cruises Asheville

Ale Sharpton Presents Operation Asheville - Asheville's burgeoning beer scene is once again in the spotlight. Ale Sharpton, a renowned beer aficionado and blogger, took to the streets of Asheville to produce an episode of his upcoming show Cruisin' for a Bruisin'.

The show is currently in post production, but Sharpton did post a teaser which highlights the Brews Cruise, Highland Brewing, French Broad Brewing, the now defunct Craggie Brewing (RIP) and more.

The full video is expected to be released soon and in the meantime, follow Ale's adventures on his blog.

Learn more about Asheville beer, breweries and beer tastings on the Asheville NC Visitor Guide.

Biltmore in Bloom Update

Now through May 1, 2013 see what's blooming at Biltmore:

Estate Entry and Approach Road:
Lily Magnolia, Redbud trees, Crabapples, Flowering Dogwood, Carolina Silverbell, Fothergilla, Spicebush, Japanese Pieris, Candytuft, Veronica, Lots of Tulips, PJM Rhododendrons, Creeping Phlox, Pansies, Azaleas, Plum Leaf Viburnum, Doublefile Viburnum, and Burkwood Viburnum
Shrub Garden:
Wisteria, Red Buckeye, Redbud trees, Lily Magnolia, Crabapple, Flowering Dogwood, Pearlbush, Kerria, Virginia Bluebells, Flowering Quince, Heather, Viburnums, Bladdernut, Cutleaf Lilac, Littleleaf Lilac, and Variegated Solomons Seal

Spring Garden:
Flowering Quince, Redbud trees, Flowering Dogwood, Spicebush, Lily Magnolia, Olga Mezett and Royal Azalea, Japanese Pieris, PJM Rhododendron, and Fothergilla
Azalea Garden:
Red Buckeye, Sweetshrub, Native Azaleas, Evergreen Azaleas, Carolina Silverbell, Flowering Dogwood, Redbud trees, Japanese Pieris, Mayapple, Virginia Bluebells, Bishops Cap, and Lily Magnolias
Walled Garden:
Tulips, Veronica, Moss Phlox, Lily Magnolia, Euphorbias, Scabiosa, Daffodils, Violas, Candytuft, Hyacinths, Apple Espalier, Tree Peony, and Iris
Inn on Biltmore Estate:
Redbud Trees, Serviceberry, PJM Rhododendrons, Rosemary, Viburnums, Lily Magnolia, Flowering Dogwood, and Forsythia
Antler Hill Village, Winery and Farm:
Lily Magnolia, Flowering Dogwood, Crabapples, Carolina Silverbell, Paw Paw, Azaleas, Fothergilla, Tulips, Rosemary, Moss Phlox, Pansies, Candytuft, Viburnum, Kerria, PJM Rhododendron, Dianthus, and Carolina Gessimine
Conservatory:
Orchids, Asiatic Lilies, Hydrangeas, Begonias, Lily of the Nile, Pink Powder Puff Plant, Gerbera Daisies, Crown of Thorns, Oleander, Oxalis, and Little Boy Flower.

Click here to view a slide show of Biltmore's current blooms.

 Get $10 off Biltmore Tickets
with our Value Rewards Program - CLICK HERE

Diana Wortham Annual Theatre Benefit Party: Broadway's Next Hit Musical

April 27 at the Diana Wortham Theatre, 2 South Pack Square in Asheville NC - Annual Benefit Party.  Step out for a night of festivity, friends, and fun – all in support of the beloved Diana Wortham Theatre. This year’s benefit features unimaginable fun with the hysterical show Broadway’s Next H!T Musical in which master improvisers gather made-up, hit song suggestions from the audience and create a spontaneous evening of music and laughter.

All proceeds from Broadway’s Next H!T Musical provide vital financial support for the ongoing programs of the Diana Wortham Theatre.

Cotton Patch Gospel Opens this week in Hendersonville

April 24 - May 19  Flat Rock Playhouse Downtown presents "Cotton Patch Gospel"  Kicking off the 2013 Downtown Playhouse series is "Cotton Patch Gospel". Called the Greatest Story Ever Retold, this bluegrass musical is a modern retelling of the Gospel in the setting of rural Georgia with songs that are the final, and perhaps best work of Harry Chapin (best known for the number-one hit, “Cat’s in the Cradle”).

Herod is recreated as Governor of Georgia, Caiaphas as Dr. Caiaphas, a member of a board of politicians, and Pilate as a local governor who sentences Jesus and sends him to Lee Correctional Institute. Witness a unique retelling of the story of Jesus, brought to life through bluegrass music and imaginative storytelling.

NC Beer Month Event: Asheville's The Best Frikin Beer Festival

April 27   The Best Firkin Beer Festival  The 2013 Beer Festival features cask-conditioned, barrel-aged and specialty beer. This is a pre-prohibition era festival that will have old time music by The Big Nasty Jazz Band and old time food from The Lowdown Food Truck.

Tickets can be purchased on the website by clicking on "The Best Firkin Beer Festival" poster. If event is not sold out by the day of the festival, tickets will be available at the door. VIP ticket holders will receive access to the festival 1 hour early and a free t-shirt.

The Festival is held at The Meadow at Highland Brewing Company, 12 Old Charlotte Hwy in  Asheville NC

 

Asheville City Market this Saturday

April 27   The Asheville City Open Air Market  will be open at the Public Works Building, 161 S. Charlotte Street in downtown Asheville NC and Town Square Blvd in Biltmore Park Town Square . Find the the freshest, best-tasting food around and local artisan products in two locations for your convenience, downtown and South Asheville.EBT, credit, and debit cards are accepted.

 Additional activities include live music, cooking demonstrations and food tastings from local chefs. The little ones will enjoy the Kids Corner Market activities, and more.

Biltmore Blooms, The Annual Flower Festival, Includes 72,000 Tulips

David Simchock,
Vagabond Vistas

Biltmore's Annual Flower Festival is in full swing with springtime colors popping up everywhere. Now is a GREAT time to visit Biltmore and see some of the most amazing color in the mountains. 

Currently,  72,000 tulips are in peak bloom at the Walled Garden of the Biltmore Estate and thousands more that carpet the grounds with bright spring color. Enjoy a progression of blooms at Biltmore that begins in early April with the amazing tulip displays as well as flowering shrubs and trees, forsythia, spirea, magnolia, and flowering cherries.

CLICK HERE to get $10 OFF Biltmore Ticketswith our online Rewards Program.

Many mountain visitors find the spring color just as exciting as the fall color. From March to June each year wildflowers and domestic gardens bloom with every color, size and shape. April abounds with the cheerful yellow of daffodils and lady Slippers; the white and pink dogwoods scattered on mountainsides, yards and along roadways; the bright pinks of the redbuds and azaleas and the purple of phaceliat.

The Buncombe TDA (www.exploreasheville.com) publishes a weekly "Spring Flower Bloom Schedule",  Each week you can learn where spring blooms are most prevalent in the mountains. Be sure to visit this page weekly for the most current spring updates.

Whitewater Rafting Trip Supports RiverLink

May 5 -  Blue Heron Whitewater is hosting a whitewater rafting trip in support of RiverLink.   Join the adventure for a half day trip down Section 9 of the French Broad River. Spend the day on the river having fun and enjoying our beautiful river, with 100% of the proceeds benefiting RiverLink the Asheville conservation

organization that is spearheading the French Broad River Paddle Trail and interactive map, the Wilma Dykeman RiverWay, watershed education for children all ages, and empowering 1,700 volunteers to assist with  numerous programs and projects improving water quality and economic development  in the French Broad River Watershed.

Participants will meet at Blue Heron Whitewater at 1:30 PM. RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED  - call Blue Heron Whitewater to reserve your space at 1-888-426-7238 or 828-450-4663. The cost is $44 per person with a Minimum age of 8 years old. The price  includes: rafting, gear, guides, and safety overview.

Find more Asheville events, lodging and attractions on the Asheville NC Visitor Guide.

Mountain Spirits: Beer Tasting Tonight at Hops and Vines

April 19 - 5 PM to 7 PM at Hops and Vines, 797 Haywood Rd, Ste 100 in Asheville NC: FREE beer Tasting.  Sierra Nevada Summerfest plus more.  Hops and Vines is the first account to recieve this year's Sierra Nevada Summerfest Lager in bottles. Come be the first to grab a 6 pack of this great summer quencher. Taste some other refreshing Sierra beers alongside.

Summerfest Lager- Summerfest is a delightfully refreshing example of a traditional style lager beer. While lighter in body than our ales, Summerfest displays significant hop aroma and a tangy hop bite. The long lagering period adds a smoothness that makes this beer a great summertime treat.

Kellerweis - Kellerweis is one of the only American Hefeweizens made using the traditional Bavarian style of open fermentation. This difficult and labor-intensive technique adds uncommon depth and flavor complexity. Our hazy-golden hefeweizen is deeply flavorful, refreshing and perfect for a sunny day. To serve, pour two-thirds into a glass, swirl and pour the rest.

Pale Ale -Sierra Nevada Pale Ale is a delightful example of the classic pale ale style. It has a deep amber color and a exceptionally full-bodied, complex character. The fragrant bouquet and spicy flavor are the results of the generous use of the best Cascade hops.

Get links for Asheville Breweries and Asheville beer HERE.

Hendersonville BBQ Expo this Weekend

April 20   4th Annual Henderson County BBQ Expo   A family festival with vendors, BBQ cooking competitions, children's activities, arts and crafts, and entertainment. The Henderson County Boyd BBQ Expo allows BBQ teams compete in one of two divisions: Professional (Restaurants, Caterers and those that compete on the Professional BBQ circuit) and Back Yard (all others).

NC Beer Month Event: Altamont Brewing River Float, Beer Tasting and Brewery Tour

April 20   Altamont Brewing French Broad Float, Beer Tasting & Brewery Tour   Altamont Brewing Company is partnering with Asheville Adventure Rentals for this special event. Participants will be picked up at Altamont Brewing at 2 PM and will float down the French Broad River. All equipment will be provided.

Participants will be returned to Altamont Brewing for a beer tasting and brewery tour. Total cost is $50.00. Booking will be provided through Asheville Adventure Rentals by phone, 828-505-7371. There is a 12-person maximum on the trip.

Learn more about Asheville beer and get links for breweries on the Asheville NC Visitor Guide.

WNC Chef's Challenge Quarterfinals at the Chestnut Restaurant in Downtown Asheville

April 16  WNC Chef's Challenge:  Quarterfinals: Tomato Jam Café vs. DoubleTree Catering.Diner participants will enjoy six plated culinary creations (three from each team) that incorporate a special ingredient and will score each dish. The diners' votes are then tallied along with those from a panel of judges and the weekly winners will continue to participate in the competition.

Reservations for the WNC Chefs Challenge are $49 per individual, and can be purchased online at http://wncchefschallenge.eventbrite.com. Sales tax, and gratuity ($67.97 total) are included in ticket purchase. Held at the Chestnut Restaurant in downtown Asheville NC.

Asheville Vacation Rental offers special 25% Discount

Charming Vacation bungalow in the heart of Asheville - 2 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, sleeps 4. Artfully renovated and updated. 2-tier deck with gas grill, gardens, flat screen with Netflix, WIFI, 2 kayaks and bike for guest use. Regular rates $135 night, $800 week.

Get details about the 25% discount and see photos and availability calendar

NC Beer Month Events: Grove Park Inn's Centennial Ale Released

Just released -  A new beer has been crafted by the good folks at Highland Brewing Company  called Grove Park Inn's Centennial Ale, released this year in tandem with the Inn's 100 year milestone. This is the second craft beer created by Highland Brewers for the Grove Park Inn. The first beer was the Grove Park Inn Great Gatsby Abbey Ale. You can pick up a six pack at the Inn while visiting Asheville and enjoying NC Beer Month happening all month long.

The Historic Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa celebrates 100 years of welcoming guests to the North Carolina  mountains. The Resort's spa and spa services are renowned.  The scenic golf course, sports complex with pool  tennis, racquetball and training facilities offer something for every sport enthusiast. Onsite restaurants, lounge and bars complete the resort experience. A large variety of rooms and suites in varying stages of updates with some original Inn antiques offer a unique selection of accommodations and prices.  Book NOW to enjoy spring in the mountains or the upcoming Grove Park Centennial Celebration events.  Get Resort Details and the current best rates for all rooms and suites

Asheville City Market this Saturday

April 13, 8 AM - 1 PM The Asheville City Open Air Market will be open at the Public Works Building, 161 S. Charlotte Street in downtown Asheville NC and Town Square Blvd in Biltmore Park Town Square .  Find the the freshest, best-tasting food around and local artisan products in two locations for your convenience, downtown and South Asheville.

EBT, credit, and debit cards are accepted. Additional activities include live music, cooking demonstrations and food tastings from local chefs. The little ones will enjoy the  Kids Corner Market activities, and more.

You can follow Asheville City Market on Facebook and Twitter.

Asheville Mountain View, Pet Friendly Cabin Rental

Mountain view vacation rental - 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, sleeps 6. Wonderful mountain views, deck with dining and gas grill, covered porch with hammock, fireplace, pillowtop beds, WIFI. Pet Friendly with 1 acre fenced yard. Contact owner for rates. $150 night. See cabin photos, details and rental availability

Get visitor information for Asheville restaurants, attractions  and events HERE.

NC Beer Month Event: Learn to Grow Hops this Weekend

April 13    Learning to Grow Hops at Hop 'n Blueberry Farm   Learn to grow hops on a tour of Hop 'n Blueberry Farm, a 165-year-old farm that has always used sustainable farming practices. This special hop tour is specifically designed to give the visitor detailed information on how to grow hops and set up a hop yard.

Hop'n Blueberry Farm is located at 24 Middle Mountain Road in Black Mountain, NC.

Asheville Weekend Getaway - Affordable Farm Apartment Vacation Rental

Only $73 a night for an apartment vacation rental on a 3 acre farm - 1 bedroom, 1 bath, sleeps 2. Recently renovated detached studio garage apartment on a 3 acre farm. Mountain views, cable TV, WIFI. Located only 15 minutes to downtown Asheville.  $500 week.  See photos, details and rental availability for this Asheville Getaway

Get current Asheville events and links for restaurants and Asheville atractions HERE.

NC Beer Month Event: Asheville Brewing Company month-long Sale

April 1 - 30, 2103 - Asheville Brewing Company, 675 Merrimon Avenue in Asheville NC, is offering 15% off all brewing merchandise during the entire month of April in celebration of NC Beer Month.

Asheville Brewing Company was voted 2012 Best in WNC for a 15th year in a row by a Mountain Express readers survey. The production brewery is located on Cox Avenue and offers beer tastings. The Pub - restaurant on Merrimon is kid-friendly and known for having some of the best pizza in Asheville. Other menu items include local farm-raised beef burgers and vegan sandwiches.

WNC Chef's Challenge for 4/9/13

April 9   WNC Chef's Challenge: Round 8 features Dough VS Harrah's Cherokee Resort.  Dining participants will enjoy six plated culinary creations (three from each team) that incorporate a special ingredient and will score each dish. The diners' votes are then tallied along with those from a panel of judges and the weekly winners will continue to participate in the competition. 

Reservations for the WNC Chefs Challenge are $49 per individual, and can be purchased online at http://wncchefschallenge.eventbrite.com. Sales tax, and gratuity ($67.97 total) are included in ticket purchase. Held at the Chestnut Restaurant in downtown Asheville NC.

Storytelling Festival begins today in Hendersonville

April 6 - 8    Do Tell Storytelling Festival   This is the 4th annual event filled with the magic of live, up close performance in historic downtown Hendersonville. Never scripted, fresh every time. This festival is living proof that Storytelling is not just for kids. This is intelligent entertainment for all ages by some of the region's best performers. The Festival is held at the Downtown Flat Rock Playhouse, 125 Main Street.

Learn more about Hendersonville NC HERE.

 

Grovewood Gallery's 14th Annual Charity Sale

April 5 -7   Grovewood Gallery's 14th Annual Charity Sale   10% of all proceeds from this 3 day event will go to benefit Brother Wolf Animal Rescue in Asheville. During the sale, customers will be able to save 10% on all regular priced crafts, including studio furniture and outdoor sculptures, and up to 75% on sale items. Everything in the gallery will be marked down.

Asheville's First Downtwon Art Walk of the Season this Weekend

April 5   Asheville Downtown Gallery Association Art Walk   Enjoy the fine art and craft of the Asheville Downtown Gallery Association and see on of the reasons Asheville has been voted #1 small city in the country by the readers of American Style Magazine 2 years running. 25 downtown venues participate with a complete Downtown Gallery Guide and a map available at any participating downtown gallery, the Chamber of Commerce, or Pack Place.

Asheville Beer News: Wicked Weed Brewing Releases Smoked Brown Belgian Beer

April 5   Wicked Weed Smoked Brown Belgian Release   Wicked Weed Brewing will be releasing a Smoked Brown Belgian in their Downstairs Tasting Room with Riverbend Malt House and 12 Bones Smokehouse. The new brew's ingredients include locally malted grain, produced by Riverbend and smoked at 12 Bones' smoking facility, and sweet potatoes.

Learn more about Asheville Breweries and craft Beer on the Asheville NC Visitor Guide

The Art of Business or the Business of Art Seminar

April 11 -   Phil Mechanic Studios and Flood Gallery & Fine Arts Center,  in association with RiverLink, Self-Help Credit Union (SHCU) and the Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC), are pleased to present:

"Shedding Light on the Business of Art:  An Intensive One-Day Workshop on Business Basics for the Artists of the Watershed."

 From 9:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., Phil Mechanic Studios will open their doors for this one-day-only, free seminar (with lunch included) that will engage you in topics such as:

• Improving Your Credit Score
• Licensing, Registration with the State, and Legal Considerations
• Obtaining Funding
• Developing a Business Plan
• Growth Strategies
• Marketing, Pricing, Preparing a Professional Portfolio, and the Appropriate Use of Social Media

Each topic will be discussed by a group of experts in the field and then opened up for questions from the audience.  In addition to members of the four sponsor organizations, panelists will include, among others, representatives from AB Tech's Small Business Center, Asheville Grown, the City of Asheville, Eagle Market Street Development, Handmade in America, Mountain BizWorks, the Natural Capital Investment Fund (NCIF), OnTrack Financial Education and Counseling, SCORE, the Small Business Administration (SBA),  The Support Center, Venture Asheville and from the consulting firm, Who Knows Art.

Two special sessions will round out the day:  one that will present two artists in front of a select group of experts and give them the opportunity to present issues/problems/needs facing their business and receive feedback and a second that will wrap up the day with "success stories" that will inspire and empower you.

Participating artists will include Sean "Jinx" Pace, Melissa Terrezza, Jeremy Russell, and others.

This one-day event is FREE and open to all artists in the Watershed, but registration is required in order to assure seating and lunch.  Register today by calling 828.252.8474 ext. 10.  

  

Wild and Scenic Film Festival in Asheville

April 4   Asheville Wild and Scenic Film Festival   The Western North Carolina Alliance invites the community to the 2013 Wild & Scenic Film Festival, featuring a selection of 14 short films that put our world and yourself into the broader environmental and social context and serves to remind us that we’re participants in a global movement for a more wild and scenic world. Free raffle ticket with entry, door prizes, food and drinks available for purchase, speakers. Raffle prizes include rafting trips, CSA shares and more. 7 - 10 PM.

Find more Asheville events on the Asheville NC Visitor Guide.